Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did.So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. --- Mark Twain

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

New Year's Eve in the mountains

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. – Steve Jobs”

Strangely enough, it is now already my third New Year's Eve in Argentina.

The year 2013 was greeted on the way to Tierra del Fuego, having arrived at Mar de Platas. The New Year's Eve of 2014 was greeted in Salta, in the same place that I visited last year to watch Dakar Rally . The duration of the time, spent in Salta, turned out a little longer as planned, but gave an opportunity to enjoy The Carnival of Salta at the beginning of March.

And now - the year of 2015, and again (still) in Argentina . Finding a place for the occasion was no problem at all, as between Uspallata and Mendoza the mountains are beautiful and there are a number of mountain paths not mentioned on most of the maps. So – why not drive there and find a cool place,

RP-13 is the third and smallest road across the mountains towards Mendoza. And quite drivable too.
Also here one can see the multi-colored mountains by the roadside.

Panorama.

On dry weather one can use any kind of vehicle. Of course – there is dust everywhere.

On the way upwards.

The covered road.

And an overnight place, entirely suitable for the New Year reception. Was not necessary to look for a long time, the place is about a hundred yards away from the big road, and with beautiful view. Strong wind is part of it.

With the help of the rocks the table is laid.

December 31, 2014. Somewhere in the mountains of Argentina will probably be remembered for a long time.

The next morning, the sun is shining, the temperature is about + 10 degrees, and a trail leads still higher. Hundred meters away there is an old campfire, and the end of the road. Next there is already only a footpath.

Morning views.

Back towards Uspallata. The former mines and abandoned villages come in sight by the road. During two days I did not come across any single person or any vehicle.